Monday, May 22, 2017

Watercolor Essentials: Part 1, Brushes

Students are often at a loss when buying watercolor supplies for the first time. I hear you. I have a studio filled with supplies that I bought when I first started painting that I never use anymore. Why am I still hanging on to them? Good question and probably an answer for a therapist, not a blog.

I thought it might be helpful if I take the next several weeks to write about the materials that I do use and why.

Let's start with brushes.

I always tell students not to run out and buy the most expensive brushes because, frankly, brushes wear out and you will find yourself replacing them after a year or two. That's when you can upgrade the brushes you find yourself using most.

Here are some tips:

Start with a variety of sizes and shapes, including flats and rounds. You will especially want a 1" or 2" flat brush for large areas

Skip the fan brush; I don't know anyone who uses one.

Try synthetic and natural hair. I have all my brushes in both. I use the sturdy synthetic brushes for scrubbing and the more delicate, natural hairs for the painting.

I like Rosemary brushes for their quality. The natural-hair brushes are supposedly humanely sourced (according to Rosemary herself).

I like Pro-Arte synthetic brushes because they are a good value--well made but not ridiculously priced.

Here are some of the brushes I can't live without.

BRUSHES

From left: 2” Flat (ProArte Prolene)

1 ½” Flat (ProArte Prolene)

1” Cat’s Tongue (Grumbacher)

18 Round (Rosemary Kolinsky 33)

18 Round (Rosemary Synthetic 301)

12 Round (Rosemary Kolinsky 33)

12 Round (Rosemary Synthetic 301)

8 Round (Rosemary Kolinsky 33)

8 Round (Rosemary Synthetic 301)

4 Round (Rosemary Kolinsky 33)

2 Round (Rosemary Kolinsky 33)

1 Round (Rosemary Kolinsky 33)

16 Extended Point (Rosemary 46)*

1/2 Silver Scrubber Angled

1/2 Silver Scrubber Round

1/4 Silver Scrubber Stencil

*Good for painting very fine lines

like wispy hair

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About Habets Studio

Peggi Habets is an award-winning watercolor portrait artist. Her studio is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but she
works with clients around the country. Her life-long interest in art and a
15-year career in graphic design and illustration have all led to her
current career as a portrait painter.